by STOWE AREA ASSOCIATION

While there are plenty of winter activities for Vermont residents and visitors to enjoy, we’re always looking for ways to celebrate the snowy months. A celebrated Stowe winter tradition, the 2018 Stowe Winter Carnival will take place from January 13 – 27.

The first Stowe Winter Carnival took place in 1921 after local community leader, Craig O. Burt, recognized the need for a moral boost among Stowe residents during Vermont’s winter months. Designed with the purpose of helping locals through economic and winter hardships, this carnival soon attracted visitors from all over New England. The first carnival featured ski jumping and tobogganing, and by 1935 the event would grow to include competitive races in alpine and cross-country skiing. After a brief hiatus, the carnival was resurrected by Stowe locals in 1974.

The 2018 Winter Olympics inspired this year’s event themed “StowOlympics.” The carnival features a variety of events and activities for all ages–from snow sports, moonlight snowshoeing and kid-friendly activities, to live music, ski movies, karaoke and food and beverage specials. The signature event during this two-week carnival is the ice carving demonstration, Friday, January 19. Check out professional ice carvers as they sculpt ice blocks into impressive sculptures outside of local shops and restaurants along Main Street and the Mountain Road.

On Saturday, January 20, vote for your favorite ice carvers as they compete during the 18th Annual Nationally Sanctioned Ice Carving Competition at The Alchemist Brewery. Watch blocks of ice transform into elaborate ice sculptures in front of your eyes. Other carnival highlights include the Snowgolf and Snowvolleyball tournaments. Test your golf skills with 10 holes of snowy golf with the Snowgolf Tournament, Sunday, January 14. Sign up in teams of four; themed costumes are highly encouraged. On Saturday, January 27, be ready to play volleyball in the snow with your own six-person team at the Heady Topper Snowvolleyball Tourney. Lunch and Apres Awards will be held afterwards at the Sunset Grille & Tap Room.